The Best LC Fedora

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:00 pm

Sorry if this is posted somewhere else.....typing in Last Crusade fedora/hat into search pulls up way too much to sift through.

Does anyone recommend what fedora makes the Best LC styled fedora?? I'm very close to buying a Fed IV as its got great reviews, etc. But I'm trying hard to go for an LC look.

Any suggestions?

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:13 pm

I know that Steve Delk, part of the Adventurebilt tandem, has postulated that the Christies Adventurer block shape lends itself to a good LC look. I've had a Fed IV that pulled off the look fairly well. Not exact but that could have been more of a result of my own amateur bashing skills than attributes of the hat.

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:27 pm

Have you seen ksteryous's Penman LC? Made me want one...mine should be here in July!

Travis
ps heres the thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37923&start=0

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:54 pm

Didn't some folks mention that of all the original Indy movies, the Herbert Johnson fedora was the best for the LC look? Would love to hear some of the older gearheads chime in on that.

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:16 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:Didn't some folks mention that of all the original Indy movies, the Herbert Johnson fedora was the best for the LC look? Would love to hear some of the older gearheads chime in on that.

I have found that to be true with the vintage HJ's I've owned. If the brand name is not as important to you as price, go with the Christys. If you need a hat that will stand up to abuse and harsh weather conditions, the Fed might be a better choice. I've had no problems at all with my Christys, though.

Jack

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:33 pm

Hollowpond wrote:Have you seen ksteryous's Penman LC? Made me want one...mine should be here in July!

Travis
ps heres the thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37923&start=0

That is true. The Penman LC is very beautful and extremely tough. Built to last for years as well.

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:09 pm

crismans wrote:
Hollowpond wrote:Have you seen ksteryous's Penman LC? Made me want one...mine should be here in July!

Travis
ps heres the thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37923&start=0
That is true. The Penman LC is very beautful and extremely tough. Built to last for years as well.

I don't have a Penman but from everything I've read I would have to agree with this. I do have an AB, and I'm sure they can make excellent LC styles as well.

In my post above, I was only referring to the original HJ and lower-priced alternatives. The Christy is believed to be exactly the same as an HJ, just with a different label and, thus, a greatly rteduced price.

The bottom line is, there are choices for every taste and need now, which is a good thing.

Jack

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:40 pm

in response to castor......

change the crappy bow on the current HJ offering and she'll make a killer venice pier hat. as far as a 'motorcycle escape' and/or 'tank chase' hat......i'd go with something different.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:28 am

While I would love to own an HJ just for the sake of getting one....I have to go with something more economical.....lol. But I like the ideas.
I've seen Penman's fedoras. It looks great. I just can't spend that kinda money right now....oh well. I can get a fed and just do my best with it.....

lol

darthbish · Post by **darthbish** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:09 am

Three words.....Go the Federation

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:22 am

I personally vote for the PBBM Borsalino, and it's not because I'm biased either.

http://www.pbhats.com/INDY_BORSALINO/index.html

Regards! Michaelson

jts1031 · Post by **jts1031** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:48 pm

I would have to agree with Michaelson that Peters Bros does an excellent Last Crusade hat. And a steal with the May sale to boot.

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:03 pm

Christys' adventurer is basically the same hat as the movie hat;) and for 92 dollars shipped a really good bargain, and for that you get accurate felt, accurate bow and ribbon and the rest is up to you;) One day i'd like to own one in every style of the originals

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:50 pm

hmmm...tell me more about this christy's hat. I found there site..and the Adventurer...but there's not much on there to go on. I saw somewhere stated that they'll make it anyway you want it??

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:22 pm

backstagejack wrote:hmmm...tell me more about this christy's hat. I found there site..and the Adventurer...but there's not much on there to go on. I saw somewhere stated that they'll make it anyway you want it??

There's a whole thread here in the Fedora section called "Christys Adventurer!" with lots of info and photos.

Jack

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:19 pm

Sorry, I overlooked your specific question. I know that you can request different ribbon sizes and brim widths. Not sure, but you may also be able to ask for different crown heights, too.

Jack

RaiderZee · Post by **RaiderZee** » Sat May 23, 2009 2:40 am

For a Motorcycle Chase/Tank Battle hat, go with the Fed IV!

RaiderZee
Satisfied Fed IV owner

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat May 23, 2009 2:56 am

The PB custom. They specialize in making a LC style:

http://www.pbhats.com/INDY_CUSTOM/Default.htm

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Sat May 23, 2009 2:58 am

I have to vote Penman as well. I'm not really a fan of the LC fedora and I LOVE John's LC hat. To me, it looks more Indy than the screen used LC fedora.

Dave

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:22 am

DR Ulloa wrote:To me, it looks more Indy than the screen used LC fedora.

Dave

I completely agree Dave. Thats what led me to order one. I don't care about being super SA or even having a hat that is specific to a scene. Thats why I also asked John to make my bow a stitchless one as well! (side note: If you have not seen those things...

) I don't particularly want an Indy hat that Travis happens to wear as much as I want a Travis hat that resembles the one that Indy wore.

Travis

SpeedRcrX · Post by **SpeedRcrX** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:42 am

Same here, I wanted an Indy hat that fit me. To me it was more important than to have a SA fedora.
So I asked a lot of questions, exchange mails and even send my photo to John. In the end we agree that the LC style would fit me the best.

Now I'm waiting on my Penman hat (should have it in July)

I'm sure from all the LC Penman hats I saw on the board, I'll get a great Indy hat !!!!

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:11 am

Well, Speed, looks like we are in the same boat! Both waiting on Penman LC's that should be here in July. Glad to know someone can feel my pain!

Travis

Dr. Henricus23 · Post by **Dr. Henricus23** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:56 pm

I must say my LC Christy's is rather wonderful for the look-the brim seems to lend itself well for the visually slightly shorter side brim-seen very prominently in Castle Brunwald and when Indy undergoes the challenges-also as Mr. Delk says, the block shape seems perfect. I shall post some pictures for you

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:16 pm

My other choice would be a Christy's in Cork (on the right):

Texan Scott wrote:Here is a better idea of the color comparison:

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:57 pm

Which is which?

And which color of the adventurer would be most accurate?

So they really are 'just like the ones' in the movie etc, same felt type etc?

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:51 pm

I'm leaning more and more towards Christy's.....did you get any changes on the brim or crown height to get a good LC look? Or just order the Adventurer straight from the site??

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:04 pm

From the above post, referring to the two hats on the bottom, the hat to the right is the Christy's "Cork" colored, Adventurer. The one to the left is the "Sable" color.

Concerning the most SA color, some would suggest that the Christy's Adventurer, "Light Sable" color is the most SA, although this "Cork" as pictured surely deserves a second look, and serious consideration. These hats are shipped unbashed, so you, or a friend, maybe a hatter in your area might be able to help with bashing it. Its really not difficult.

It's my understanding that these Christy's hats can be customized, at least from the sale's rep.'s advice . I asked them to tack the ribbon low enough so as to cover the stitches at the brim break and they did that for me. Possibly other minor modifications could be allowed.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:25 pm

Texan Scott wrote:
It's my understanding that these Christy's hats can be customized, at least from the sale's rep.'s advice . I asked them to tack the ribbon low enough so as to cover the stitches at the brim break and they did that for me. Possibly other minor modifications could be allowed.

I hope so, I'm going to email and find out. I am liking everything I heard so far about Christy's but I need to mod the hat..

I currently wear a PB indy hat straw and everyone tells me my hat is too tall....now, it could be cause everyone is used to short hats but I'm wondering if its because I'm a smaller guy...5'9, 160 lbs., with a 7 1/8 size head...

jts1031 · Post by **jts1031** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:27 pm

Keep in mind that the Christy's has a 5 3/4" crown, which is very tall. I don't know the specs on the PB straw, but I would guess that's it not quite that tall, so you'll still have issues with the height. At 5'8, you'd probably want something with a shorter crown to get the scaling correct.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:27 pm

You can always bash the Christy's by making it a lower crown. Mine is bashed at about a 4 3/8 crown.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:27 am

Yeah but there's only so much you can bash until the crown is sitting directly on your head, lol....

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:46 pm

Dr. Henricus23 wrote:I must say my LC Christy's is rather wonderful for the look-the brim seems to lend itself well for the visually slightly shorter side brim-seen very prominently in Castle Brunwald and when Indy undergoes the challenges-also as Mr. Delk says, the block shape seems perfect. I shall post some pictures for you

Did you get christys to spec the hat differently for it to be an LC?

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:56 pm

The only thing I would spec different to get LC look would be the brim. Instead of 3" front/back and 2.5" sides I would order it 2.75" front/back and 2.5" sides. The Christy I have with these brim dimensions would work very well as a LC fed.

ksteryous · Post by **ksteryous** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:10 pm

Sorry, I'm a little late to the game...haven't been around much lately. Anyway, my vote would obviously be for a Penman...I cannot say enough good things about it. But I saw that you were needing something more economical...that's too bad, because I absolutely love my Penman, and highly recommend them.

Regards,
Kenton

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:56 am

Tremolo wrote:The only thing I would spec different to get LC look would be the brim. Instead of 3" front/back and 2.5" sides I would order it 2.75" front/back and 2.5" sides. The Christy I have with these brim dimensions would work very well as a LC fed.

That doesn't sound too bad....and quite frankly I think it will look better on me anyways with a shorter brim.

ksteryous wrote:Sorry, I'm a little late to the game...haven't been around much lately. Anyway, my vote would obviously be for a Penman...I cannot say enough good things about it. But I saw that you were needing something more economical...that's too bad, because I absolutely love my Penman, and highly recommend them.

Regards,
Kenton

I've heard nothing but good things about the Penman hats.....and they do look great in the pics I've seen but my philosophy is....if I'm going to go big, I'm going all the way. When I do find myself with more money to spend on an indy fedora....its going to probably be an AB.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu May 28, 2009 9:11 am

One thing that you might consider, ie factor in, is brim curl on a LC hat.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:58 pm

backstagejack wrote:
I've heard nothing but good things about the Penman hats.....and they do look great in the pics I've seen but my philosophy is....if I'm going to go big, I'm going all the way. When I do find myself with more money to spend on an indy fedora....its going to probably be an AB.

I just wanted to say that BendingOak is said to be on par with the AB guys according to some members who own both an AB and a Penman

I don't own one of BendingOaks hats, yet, but I will somewhere this year (I hope) so my statement is purely based on statements made by others. However, I do think it's telling that not one but several buyers have expressed this opinion.

Whatever you choose to do when you've got he money for it, if the choice is between a Penman and an AB I have a feeling that you just can't go wrong

Regards, Geert

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:11 pm

I'm one of those members. My Penman is off at Oak's place right now getting reblocked on his BEAUTIFUL new Raiders block. As soon as I get it back I will be posting an in depth comparison between the Penman and AB. Geert is right, however. No matter if you go with Penman or AB, you will not be dissapointed.

Dave

morethanatimelord · Post by **morethanatimelord** » Fri May 29, 2009 2:31 pm

Penman all the way

John is a gent and a craftsman he made me a LC fedora and i wear it nearly everyday....infact i wore it to the beach not 2 hours ago

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Fri May 29, 2009 3:51 pm

...rub it in, would ya!

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:47 pm

Well, Im seriously considering a slightly shorter brim as suggested by Tremolo....

Even taking in the brim curling of the LC it does seem slightly shorter then previous brims.....I might be wrong....but even with the pic that I have as my avatar.....it seems shorter.

Christy's with a slightly shorter brim seems a good way to go for a good economical LC fedora.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:54 pm

backstagejack wrote:Well, Im seriously considering a slightly shorter brim as suggested by Tremolo....

Even taking in the brim curling of the LC it does seem slightly shorter then previous brims.....I might be wrong....but even with the pic that I have as my avatar.....it seems shorter.

Christy's with a slightly shorter brim seems a good way to go for a good economical LC fedora.

Tell me your head measurements and I'll tell you what I think would work for your brim dim.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:18 pm

BendingOak wrote: Tell me your head measurements and I'll tell you what I think would work for your brim dim.

From the last measurements I received I am between a size 7 and 7 1/8 therefore, I usually order a 7 1/8 which fits well when my hair is longer and needs some felt inlays when its short...

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:33 pm

backstagejack wrote:
BendingOak wrote: Tell me your head measurements and I'll tell you what I think would work for your brim dim.
From the last measurements I received I am between a size 7 and 7 1/8 therefore, I usually order a 7 1/8 which fits well when my hair is longer and needs some felt inlays when its short...

Head measurements please not hat sizes.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:40 pm

BendingOak wrote: Head measurements please not hat sizes.

Ah, ok. My measuring tape is at my house which I'm not at(no internet) so give me a day or so.

Thanks btw..

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:48 pm

backstagejack wrote:
BendingOak wrote: Head measurements please not hat sizes.
Ah, ok. My measuring tape is at my house which I'm not at(no internet) so give me a day or so.

Thanks btw..

no rush my friend. I don't use hat sizes because most of them are off a bit.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sat May 30, 2009 4:00 pm

BendingOak wrote:
no rush my friend. I don't use hat sizes because most of them are off a bit.

I measured last night. If I did it right, it came to 22 1/2 inches and in normal hat sizes I wear a 7 1/8 although according to your chart I wear a 7 1/8 to a 7 1/4......

Also keep in mind that my hair is long right now and very thick...once its short my head will be smaller...

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:14 pm

backstagejack wrote:
BendingOak wrote:
no rush my friend. I don't use hat sizes because most of them are off a bit.
I measured last night. If I did it right, it came to 22 1/2 inches and in normal hat sizes I wear a 7 1/8 although according to your chart I wear a 7 1/8 to a 7 1/4......

Also keep in mind that my hair is long right now and very thick...once its short my head will be smaller...

What's a normal hat size? I haven't found a single chart on any web site that is correct. Mine is correct in the sizes even though I don't use hat size for my hats as they are custom made and fitted.

For a LS brim dim. I would make mine at 2 3/4 by 2 1/2. Your right at the boarder so, I think I would use the same specs.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:47 pm

BendingOak wrote:
What's a normal hat size? I haven't found a single chart on any web site that is correct. Mine is correct in the sizes even though I don't use hat size for my hats as they are custom made and fitted.

For a LS brim dim. I would make mine at 2 3/4 by 2 1/2. Your right at the boarder so, I think I would use the same specs.

Sorry, by normal I just meant the usual hat charts I see. I generally wear either a what most hat places I've been too call a size 7 or a 7 1/8 in any fedora i've ever owned....

Thanks for the advice....I think thats the brim dimensions I'm going to go for. Would you recommend for my size to lower the crown any? or just stick with it?

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sat May 30, 2009 11:05 pm

What brand are you going with?